Effect on growth of long-term treatment with intranasal triamcinolone acetonide aqueous in children with allergic rhinitis

Background: Guidelines recommend treatment with intranasal corticosteroids for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), but concerns remain about possible adverse effects. Objective: To present the 1- and 2-year growth results for children with AR treated with triamcinolone acetonide aqueous nasal spray. Methods: Thirty-nine children (aged 6.1-14.3 years at study entry) were treated with triamcinolone acetonide aqueous for 1 year, and a subset of 30 children completed a second year of treatment. The dose was physician titered to achieve control over AR symptoms. For each child, statural heights at baseline and at the 1- and 2-year (where available) visits, together with growth rates, were measured and were compared with predicted values. Results: There were no significant differences between measured and predicted heights at the 1- and 2-year visits. The mean (SD) measured - predicted difference was 0.3 (2.2) cm (95% confidence interval, -0.4 to 1.0 cm) at the 1-year visit and 0.5 (3.0) cm (95% confidence interval, -0.6 to 1.6 cm) at the 2-year visit. Mean differences in measured and predicted growth rates were nonsignificant at the 1- and 2-year visits. Conclusions: Triamcinolone acetonide aqueous titered to control AR symptoms and given for 1 or 2 years had no significant effect on statural growth in children with AR.